This is my Parisian post-impressionist painting 'L'accordeoniste' (20 x 51cm) oil on canvas, currently exhibited at French restaurant 'L'Artisan' for £195.
The street scene, in the heart of Montmartre is painted with sponges and palette knives and depicts just a moment of the great performance this local accordionist was giving to a captive audience...
He is one of a range of characters that could have been in the movie 'Amelie' (which was filmed around this area in Montmartre). This is the fourth painting I've completed on the 'Rue Norvins' area, visit Parisian paintings to see the whole collection.
The title 'L'accordeoniste' comes from the title of a curious Edith Piaf song. It's basically about a prostitute whose dreams of a different life come through the emotions she feels through listening to her boyfriend play the accordion. He leaves to fight as a soldier in the war but never returns. She finds another accordionist and has the same feelings when he plays but her dreams now lay in tatters. The song ends with her begging the music to stop...
'..When her job is done
She goes on her way
To search for a little dream
A dance on the outskirts of town
Her man is an artist He is a funny little man An accordionist Who can play the java..' (translated from French)
'L'accordeoniste' is available to view at L'Artisan, 30 Clarence Street, Cheltenham. Full exhibition details available at my Online Catalogue
Here is a taster of some of the other paintings displayed:
'Impressionism is at the root of all modern art, because it was the first movement that managed to free itself from preconceived ideas, and because it changed not only the way life was depicted but the way life was seen.' Francesco Salvi